I had the easiest time ever. Took bill of sale to DMV, asked for new tag in my name. $25 and a quick look out the window by the clerk who didn't believe that I drove a 56 year old truck to the office and that was that. GA is easy, if you have a vehicle over 15 years old it's not required to have a title. I think mine qualified.
It would have only been $20, but I got the Antique/Hobby tag.

 

In the State of Georgia you need a bill of sale: I sold XXXXXXX a 19XX Ford pickup for fair market value on XX/XX/XXXX to XXXXXXX.. Have a nice day... No title just a tag registration from the state of Georgia will be issued. That is if the vehicle is more thsn 20 years old. Of course proof of insurance is required

 

I read some time ago that GA and FL were the places to run a stolen car through. It was very easy to get it registered and then take it up north to sell it. I read this maybe 20 years ago so I don't know if things have changed since.

From what I am reading in some of the posts I noticed WI might be odd in that we don't require proof of insurance. Any boozo can hop into a two ton car and head down the road to wreak finacial havok on anyone who gets in his way. I was rear ended by a moron without insurance so I have first hand knowledge. Unfortunately, I was a kid with an old car with only liability insurance. From the day I started to drive I have never been without insurance.

 

Bob,

New Mexico requires proof of insurance, that doesn't mean that everyone has it, only honest folks. And then there's the whole illegal alien thing.......
.....Hmmmm, lets see, they are here illegally, what make us think they are going to do the legal thing andhave insurance, drivers licence, etc, etc, etc...........don't get me started

Bobby

 

All too true Bobby my friend! Lets look at this whole "Illegal alien" thing? What's the FIRST word???!!!!!! (dusting off my soapbox)


Sorry, I know it's off topic

 

I had no issues getting my title in AR. I bought it from TN, had the signed title, and a bill of sale. AR requires proof of insurance and personal property taxes.

If a vehicle comes from out of state...they are supposed to make you get the VIN checked by the police, but they didn't make me.

When I went to get the antique tags the next year it was a non-issue. They are supposed to make you sign an affidavit stating the vehicle is "stock", but they didn't. They are also supposed to charge a higher "one time fee", but they didn't. LOL

 

Registering my truck in Missouri was pretty painless. I wanted the regular antique plates, and was able to mail in the application to Jefferson City along with copies of title and insurance card and a check for the proper amount. I received the plates a few weeks later (one front and one back). Getting a new title was hell, though. The truck had to pass a safety inspection (which took several years to reach that point) and my Dad (previous owner) and I made the mistake of signing the old title when I first got the truck. Plus the DMV lost my receipt saying the truck was a gift. Fortunately I had a copy available.

 

There are no safety inspections in AR at all. Sort of scary if you ask me. Lots of unsafe deathtraps on the roads around here.

 

In Massachusetts, you need to buy insurance first, you can buy ins. with a bill of sale. than go to the DMV. something new now the insurance company issues plates which saves you that trip. if you don't have the title the DMV does a title search or issues you a new title. after the numbers are run by the police local or state troopers depending on the clerk I think. Its always best to get a title at time of purchase. I think during the mid '70's all vehicles had to be titled here. if you have the title in previous owners name he/she signs it over to you than the DMV issues one in your name via the US Post. drivers liscense required I believe. Than there are a variety of plate choices, as with other states. the basic cost is $25.00 ish, than an excise tax is derived from the book value $500.00 minimum regardless of sale price. With my truck last year, I had to title it for the 1st time of its life as it was not registered since the title laws had changed. I honestly don't know if it ever had a plate issued, our farms get plates and can put their plate on any of their vehicles. Once upon a time, don't know current laws. The law required a story. Who what when where a history of my unrecorded vehicle, That was fun. And all these papers and stories have to get stamped by a notary of public. all the insurance companies employ folks who are notories. So I'm the 1st owner of a 50+ year old vehicle to own the title of the truck. In this state its best to totally co-operate with the clerks, get the info they want, police forms etc. than its just a good business transaction. Most people really dig the old stuff, you guys know that. The police, after verifying the trucks numbers, gave me the big thumbs up for preserving some local history.

 

I went to the DMV in the city, being VERY naive, and said I have a 1953 truck that I bought out of a farmers field 5 years ago. What do I need to do to get a title? WHAT??? YOU BOUGHT A VEHICLE WITH OUT A TITLE... hahahahhahahah
I took a vin tracing with me figuring they would simply run a check to see if it had been stolen or not... (remember the naive part.?) The told me it was "next to impossible" to get a title. I would have to write to the state, ask them for the last known titled owner, then track them down and get them to apply for a lost title replacement... then get them to sign it over to me...... I asked to speak to a supervisor, who advised me that they don't keep track of stolen vehicles past seven years... yeah right.
OR
I bought a parts truck, same year, but mostly came in boxes... however the parts truck had a title. Took that to my local (very country) DMV and they issued me a new title and said I had to get a plate too. Gave me a one time "forever" antique plate and I was outta there in a total of about 5 minutes. No vin number questions, nuttin. The plate is hangin on the wall in the dining room, waiting for me to get the truck on the road... I will take the vin plate from the glove box of the parts truck and put it in the glove box of the finished truck (boy that sounds funny... finished truck..??? What's that?) The vin on the title will match the vin plate in the glove box, but not on the frame... but since I couldn't FIND the vin on the frame till I sandblasted.. and now it's covered with 2 coats of rust bullet and a shinny topcoat of paint... I'm not overly worried.

 

I normally go to the Auto Club-SoCal to transfer a vehicle, but I also have gone to the DMV a coupla times in recent years because cars I've bought had titles that were decades old, and showed no recent history. Example: 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk with 10K actual miles had a title dated 1960. A car club buddy of mine is the manager of a local DMV. I took the paperwork to her...problem solved.

 

DMV is fun to trip up. It's even better when you embarass them in front of a building full of people. Titling old rigs is a sinch here. B-o-S, vin inspect (depending on what it is you're titling), and that's it. The paperwork says B-o-S for the major chassis or body compnents used, and a description of same, and then sign it, take the rig down to DMV, and then viola, they stamp it, send it in, and you got a new title for the year of truck )or car, or tank, etc., etc) you're building. And yes, I did ask DMV about tanks (that's the embarassment part).

 

In Texas there is a process known as a bonded title. You typically use it if you either don't have a title or the title was not properly assigned to you. I have titled my last 2 vehicles this way including a kit car, a 1929 Mercedes replica with a 79 Pinto V6 and my 53 F100. Steps are as follows:

1. Apply for permission at DMV, they run a background check to ensure the vehicle is not registered to anyone else or shows as stolen.
2. Get a appraisal from a licensed appraiser, typically a car dealer. My 53 costs me $50 for an appraisal and I sent them photos of the truck.
3. Purchase a bond at 1.5 times the appraised value.
4. File the bonded title application at the local tax office.
5. Wait 4 weeks for your title.

If you want plates you will need to have the vehicle inspected and insured. Lots of paperwork but after trying several local tax offices I finally found one familiar with the process and helpful to boot.

 

Ditto here in WI

 

It is true - Motor Vehicle Department's do have a requirement to be difficult and is not just here. Reminds me of the hoops I had to jump through just to transfer the registration for a 53 Meteor I bought. After having gathered all the paper work needed - or so I thought - they advised me i needed an appraisal. No problem even though the price I paid was fair market value. After getting the appraisal done I again take all the paper work in to complete the transfer. failing to find and fault with the paper work - she scowled and asked what color was the vehicle. I politely replied - the same color as on the appraisal form - green. Her last comment was - that was yesterday - lol. Finially I did walk out with the vehicle in my name - mission accomplished.